Castle Walls Read Online Free PDF Page A

the dark woman's bosom not quite as small as Gemma's. Beside her, Ilia kept pace in a gown borrowed from the redhead. A bit baggy in places, it fit well enough.
    Willem returned to his escort duties when the pair was declared fit for viewing. He guided them towards one of the wagons in silence.
    Still busy with activity, the clearing looked much different than it had earlier. A large tent had grown in the center and the men were tying down the last of the ropes. The wagons created a crescent around the main entrance, each an advertisement for the available acts. Pictures depicting brightly dressed clowns, a lion tamer, graceful bodies flying through the air and jugglers teased the eye. One wagon sported bars instead of a painting, a large animal curled up in one corner.
    Katerin stopped her wool gathering and focused on a wagon they neared. Ros was lounging before it, idly watching them approach, feet upon a stool. On a rough wooden table beside her were several familiar items. Ilia's gasp matched the princess' sudden recognition of the few items they'd been able to steal away from the castle. Instantly furious, Katerin marched forward, passing Willem to plant herself before the relaxed woman, hands on hips. "How dare you go through our personal things!" she growled.
    "How dare you disrupt the lives of all these people," was the response. Ros stood, towering over the smaller woman. "Do you realize the danger you've put us in? Whoever those men were, one wore the insignia of the Invader. You can imagine he'll not be happy at the death of his personal guard."
    Blinking in surprise, the dark woman's anger faded. She's right. It's not these poor people who are at fault. Katerin dropped her hands and gaze, properly chastised.
    Taken aback at the sudden change of demeanor, the blonde sucked in a breath, quelling her irritation. "What's done is done," she finally said, sitting down. Waving to two other stools, she continued, "Please, sit. We must speak."
    "Do you need me to stay, Ros?"
    "No, Willem," the woman answered. "Though perhaps you could have Sati bring breakfast to these fine ladies…?"
    Willem smiled. "Aye, Ros. I'll do that," he agreed, walking away.
    Waiting for the women to settle, Ros studied them. Once she had their attention, she said, "As you've no doubt gathered, my name is Ros and I own this fine circus where you find yourselves. You've stowed away and stolen our food. The Invader is chasing you for gods know what reason and two men are dead. Is there anything else I should know?"
    With a sigh, Katerin shook her head. "Nay, I think not. That's more than enough."
    "Then the next question is what I should do with you?" An interminable silence followed, broken only by the people around them going about their business. Sighing heavily in irritation, Ros said, "What do you think will happen to two women such as you if I sent you away?"
    Recalling the very unexpected recent events, Katerin raised her chin. "We'll be dead or worse inside a fortnight."
    Mouth turned down, the blonde agreed, "Aye. And it's the worse you should be worried about." She eyed them shrewdly. "I'll not have your deaths on my head, despite the pain in my arse you've become."
    Katerin ignored the flash of anger, instead considering her immediate future. There's nothing left for me - my family is dead, my people ruled by another. Looking at her handmaiden, she made a decision. "Ilia is a fabulous seamstress. I'm sure you could find a use for her," the princess said, leaning forward on her stool in earnestness. "And, should you have a lute about, she plays it very handily."
    "I see. So you would have me hire your servant?"
    "Aye," the princess nodded. "She has a pleasant demeanor and is loyal to a fault. You could do no wrong in taking her on."
    Ros crossed her arms, one hand stroking her chin in thought. "And what of you?"
    Looking away, Katerin swallowed past the lump in her throat. "I shall be on my way."
    "Your Highness!" the handmaiden